Buffalo Soldiers | Cadets of Courage | 2

Buffalo Soldiers, specifically the 10th Cavalry, faced a fraught task in maintaining order on the frontier, grappling with not only law enforcement but also severe environmental challenges.

10th Cavalry Issues: Merchants Trespassing, Supplying Weapons/Alcohol To Raiders, Escalating Tribal Conflicts

The 10th Cavalry played a critical role as watchdogs for native tribes, observing and arresting those refusing to settle on reservations. Under the command of Colonel Benjamin Grierson at Fort Sill, they demonstrated discipline and restraint, notably when they successfully arrested Kiowa war chief Satanta without a massacre, which saved Sherman's life. Yet these troops consistently battled against the chaos of off-reservation activities.

10th Cavalry Ousts Intruders; Courts Give Lenient Punishments, Merchants Resume Activities

During their patrols near the Texas border and the Kiowa Comanche Reservation, the 10th Cavalry troopers confronted white trespassers suspected of peddling whiskey. With the arrest of a merchant and the discovery of whiskey cases in his wagon, their suspicions were confirmed. However, their efforts were often undermined by local courts that provided lenient penalties, permitting apprehended merchants to quickly resume their illegal trades.

Frontier Challenges Like Heat and Drought Hindered the Buffalo Soldiers’ Pursuit of These Outlaws

The environment posed a daunting obstacle for the 10th Cavalry.

1877 Scouting Expedition Nearly Kills 10th Cavalry Troopers

In July 1877, an ill-fated scouting expedition led by Captain Nicholas Nolan had the cavalry pursue Apache and Comanche. With searing temperatures above 100 degrees, the mission turned into a desperate fight for survival as soldiers endured ...

A tale of formidable challenges and achievements, the stories of James Webster Smith and Henry Ossian Flipper underscore the struggles and contributions of Black individuals in the U.S. military.

James Webster Smith: First Black Cadet at West Point, Faced Racial Harassment, Dismissed

James Webster Smith, born enslaved in South Carolina, surmounted significant barriers early in his life.

Smith Was Repeatedly Disciplined and Deemed "Deficient," Resulting In His Dismissal From West Point, Which He Unsuccessfully Appealed To the Secretary of War

After attending school via the Freedmen's Bureau and receiving a congressional nomination, Smith was admitted to West Point in 1870. As the first black cadet, Smith experienced intense verbal and physical attacks from his classmates. Despite the abuse and against his father's advice—a Civil War veteran—Smith refused to give up his pursuit.

Smith's struggles at West Point were compounded by multiple disciplinary actions taken against him; he was even court-martialed for lying. His persistent arguments with white classmates and a suspension for a year marked his tenure. Tragically, in June 1874, a professor declared Smith deficient in philosophy, which led to his dismissal just one year before completing his studies.

Smith made an appeal to the Secretary of War, William Belknap, explaining how the racial prejudice he faced impacted his studies. Nevertheless, the Secretary upheld the decision on the grounds of maintaining West Point's standards, denying Smith a second chance to demonstrate his capability.

Henry Ossian Flipper: First Black West Point Graduate (1877), 10th Cavalry Officer, Bravery, Intelligence, Dedication

Meanwhile, in a historic milestone, Henry Ossian Flipper became the first black cadet to graduate from West Point in 1877.

Flipper Led Efforts Against Apache Leader Victorio and Designed a Long-Lasting Fort Sill Drainage System

Flipper's post-graduation service saw him join the 10 ...

The Buffalo Soldiers' crucial roles in military campaigns of the late 19th century, such as the Red River War and Victorio's War, are integral yet often under-acknowledged chapters of history.

Role of 9th & 10th Cavalries in Red River War

During the Red River War, the 9th and 10th Cavalries were instrumental in subduing resistance in the Southern Plains.

Buffalo Soldiers Unrecognized For Ending Southern Plains Resistance

The 9th and 10th Cavalries captured nearly 400 Native Americans and over 2,000 animals, destroyed more than 700 lodges, and eliminated large quantities of camp equipment, actions that were vital in bringing an end to armed resistance and moving tribes onto reservations in the Southern Plains. Despite their substantial impact, the Buffalo Soldiers received little credit for their contributions.

Following the Red River War, the cavalries, particularly the 10th, became the primary military presence in far West Texas for a decade, mapping the area and patrolling under often challenging conditions. Their efforts continued to go largely unrecognized in maintaining order and ending resistance in the region.

Victorio's War: 10th Cavalry Under Colonel Grierson Cut Off Apache Leader Victorio's Water Access, Forcing Him Into Mexico, Where He Was Killed by Mexican Forces

The 10th Cavalry, under the command of Colonel Benjamin Grierson, played a pivotal role in the conflict known as Victorio's War, which involved fights with the Apache leader Victorio's forces.

Victorio had led his followers off the San Carlos Reservation, conducting attacks and raids across the U.S. and Mexico. In a strategic move, General Sheridan ordered the 10th Cavalry to pursue Victorio, leading Colonel Grierson to station his soldiers at key watering holes. This tactic was vital because it cut off water access for Victorio's warriors and was essential given Victorio's re-entry into the U.S. through Texas.

In combat near a watering hole on the El Paso-San Antonio road, the 10th Cavalry engaged with ...